MONTREAL -- Dany Heatley's chances of making the Olympic team are just as good as they were before the sulking sniper alienated hockey fans in the nation's capital.

Team Canada executive director Steve Yzerman shot down any notion that Heatley would be left off the squad because of the perceived selfishness he has displayed in demanding a trade.

"It's not for me to judge what is happening there," said Yzerman. "I know Dany Heatley and I like him as a hockey player. I had an opportunity to really assess him at the last two world championships, and I'll watch him again next fall to determine whether he makes the team or not."

Yzerman, who was with Heatley at last month's world championship in Switzerland, said he was "surprised" the two-time 50-goal scorer asked Senators GM Bryan Murray for a trade.

GOTTA EXPECT REACTION

"We never really talked about what was happening in Ottawa too much," said Yzerman. "I wasn't aware of (Heatley's unhappiness)."

But Yzerman, the pride and joy of Nepean, was not at all taken aback by the reaction to Heatley's request.

"I think Dany thought this through with his agent, but as soon as he makes that demand, you've got to know what the reaction is going to be," said Yzerman. "I'm not surprised by the reaction in Ottawa. I don't think they (Heatley and his agent) should be."

Oilers president Kevin Lowe, who's also on Canada's management team, said Heatley is on the bubble as far as representing his country in Vancouver -- only because of the stiff competition for jobs.

"I don't think he's the first player that's asked for (a trade in the summer)," said Lowe. "He's had good success internationally for Canada, and that's sort of what we target. But there again, he, like many guys, is in a broad group of players. Whoever is playing well at the time will be the guys selected."